August 20, 2012

Livings returns to Cowboys' offensive line, Costa could be back Thursday

The Dallas Cowboys’ patchwork offensive line took another step toward normalcy this morning when Nate Livings, a free-agent signee projected to start at left guard, donned pads for the first time since tweaking his hamstring on Day 3 of training camp.

Livings took limited snaps in the combined workout with the Chargers but mixed in with the first-team unit as well as the reserves. He plans to play Saturday night against the St. Louis Rams in Cowboys Stadium.

“It was great, man. I loved it,” Livings said. “I’m just getting my feet back under me. Getting in a hit on different guys, here and there. It felt good … It’s been a couple of weeks since I was out there with the fellows. But that’s what I’m here to do. I’m here to play football. I’m not here to sit down and watch my teammates practice.”

Best of all, said Livings, is that he felt no twinge in his hamstring at the end of the day.

“All good, baby,” Livings said.

With Livings back, the Cowboys’ lone projected starter in the offensive line who missed today’s drills was center Phil Costa (back). Costa did run sprints for conditioning. Coach Jason Garrett said he is hopeful that Costa will participate in Thursday’s practice at Cowboys Stadium and left open the possibility that Costa could play against the Rams.